Regulatory
Visit
Preparation

Most firms will receive a regulatory visit or be subject to remote regulator inspection

Although visits are less frequent, they are cleverly targeted or firms are subjected to onerous remote inspection.

Proactive planning is key, and firms should plan towards the inevitable. If you avoid a full blown FCA visit, you are still likely to be on the end of an information request or thematic review.

So how can you prepare?

Well, any good risk management strategy will aim to mitigate business downtime, which could be caused by several factors, one being regulatory investigation leading potentially to an FCA or section 166 review, regulatory fine or cessation of activities.

Here are some thought starters:

Have you read the latest FCA Business Plan which highlights areas of regulatory concern (produced annually)?
Do you know what the current industry ‘hot topics’ are?
Are you exposed?
Can you produce detailed management information and do you analyse the data?
Do you have a risk management plan and have you tested it?
Have you read and adapted to industry guidance?

ATEB can help you to proactively manage this risk. The sooner you start however, the better. If you leave it until something official drops through your letterbox marked ‘FCA’ and ‘Urgent’, it may already be too late

Who can help?

Steve Bailey

Director

Steve likes nothing better to myth bust anything compliance related; he has specialist FCA Handbook knowledge and experience of over 150 FSA/FCA visits and would be delighted to discuss your requirements with you.

CONTACT STEVE

Pricing

Regulatory Visit Preparation Projects:

The cost will vary with requirements. Please contact us to discuss further.

David Brimer

"The service we have received from ATEB and in particular Lisa, our Compliance Consultant has been outstanding from outset. Lisa is able to simplify and breakdown to us the myriad of new rules and regulation that come into force within our industry, as well as work ‘hands on’ with us to ensure we keep our procedures and processes up-to-date.

We would not hesitate to recommend ATEB and Lisa to other people because they really do ‘partner’ with your business."

David Brimer, Chartered MCSI BBA Hons

Financial Consultant (Partner), Wealth Generation LLP
Sittingbourne, Kent

Mark Cowell

"As soon as I made the decision to set up my own directly authorised Financial Advice business in 2006, the first person I contacted was Steve Bailey post a meeting I had with him some 10 years previously.

Steve and his staff (Mike Senior more especially) have always been proactive, conscientious and a vital cog in our small business and the services that we provide

Their reputation within the industry has grown over the last 20 years employing them as our compliance function adds reassurance to our clients and to ourselves."

Mark Cowell BA (Econ), IMC

Director & Chartered Financial Planner, Adding Value 4U
Thirsk, Yorkshire

Ravi Dadlani

"We have used ATEB for a few years and have been guided both by Steve and Lisa. Lisa has primarily looked after us for the last 2 years and she is an absolute joy to work with. Lisa is not only extremely knowledgeable about her subject but also understands the challenges of financial planning from a firms perspective. The ability to speak to Lisa to discuss complicated cases and to ensure that one takes the right approach is invaluable. We see ATEB and Lisa as part of our team; here to offer us advice, guidance, support and ultimately to keep our clients and us safe."

Ravi Dadlani

Chartered MCSI, Gate Capital Group
City London

Sylvia McDonald

"We switched from another consultancy to ATEB in 2018 and they have helped us get our compliance plans and procedures up to date and in order. Our contact, Lisa, has been excellent and it has been like a breath of fresh air having her on board. We would highly recommend them."

Sylvia McDonald

Holborn Financial
Wimbledon, London

Mark Armstrong

"We are a commercial general insurance broker. We have used the services of ATEB Consulting for well over 15 years and find their compliance support invaluable. ATEB offer a structured approach to all things regulatory. They are a trusted voice at the end of the phone to guide us through the maze of compliance issues. We would not hesitate in recommend them to other broking companies."

Mark Armstrong

Director, Todd & Cue Limited (Insurance Brokers)
Gateshead, Tyne & Wear

Paul Blight

"We have been using ATEB’s services since June 2015 and during this time, we have always found the company and their staff; knowledgeable, straightforward and approachable, when it comes to all aspects of regulatory compliance. I would not hesitate to recommend their services to any IFA business."

Paul Blight

Head of Wealth Management, Carrick Financial Management
Newcastle Upon Tyne

Robert Hoggarth

"ATEB have been a fantastic help in navigating an increasingly complex regulatory world. As well as regular updates provided, monthly meetings have meant 1 on 1 time to discuss issues in more depth and help to establish a mutual trust which is highly beneficial to ourselves."

Robert Hoggarth BA(Hons) APFS

Chartered Financial Planner, Gibbons Accountants
Workington, Cumbria

Maria Corr

"We have worked with Mike Senior from ATEB for over 7 years as our chosen compliance support provider. Their approach and organisation has simplified what can sometime be a complicated process and saved us a huge amount of time, but equally offering us peace of mind. They have a dedicated team with excellent working practices with key resources available both online and face to face a package that in our opinion offers great value for money.

We would have no hesitation in recommending them to other firms for all their compliance requirements."

Maria Corr

Director, Future Financial Ltd
Middlesborough

Robert Little

"Our company has used ATEB for over 10 years. They have helped us with everything from file checking to the implementation of large projects (such as the RDR and MiFID II). Regulation is constantly in flux, but ATEB are always quick to provide guidance related to developing topics. We have been very satisfied with their services."

Robert Little BSc(Hons) FPFS CFA

Director, Bob Little & Co Ltd
Redcar

Peter Glenton

"We consider the services of ATEB to be an essential investment for our firm. We engaged ATEB over ten years ago, and their contribution not just to improving our compliance framework but also improving the robustness of all our business procedures has been significant and gratefully appreciated."

Peter Glenton

Portland Financial Management Limited
Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne

Chris Woodhams

"I have had a professional relationship with ATEB now for around 10 years, both with my current and past company and also as an employee and business owner. They are forward thinking, proactive and offer a genuinely balanced view. They are definitely not “Yes” people and always advise on issues in a technically correct manner but crucially they are also pragmatic in their thinking. From a business owners perspective I have looked at alternative options over the years but these people are trusted professionals and I take peace of mind that our business has gained added value through working with ATEB and following its guidance."

Chris Woodhams

Director and Compliance Officer, Money Matters
Redcar

Sam Tate

"Since taking on the services of ATEB in 2013, they have reshaped my view of what a compliance support firm should be. Beyond simply helping us to meet our regulatory requirements in a compliant manner, they have helped to positively develop our internal framework, improved our procedures and have become an integral plug in to our business. Without question our business has gained added value with ATEB’s help and I would not hesitate to recommend the services on offer to any firm looking to improve their financial services business."

Sam Tate

Director and Head of Operations, Vintage Chartered Financial Planners
Stockton-on-Tees

Jonathan Homer

"Homer & Co LLP have been working with ATEB since 2014 and find their proactive approach to compliance both refreshing and now fundamental to our business processes. With the ever changing financial advice landscape it is good to know we can ask any question and get a fast and accurate response. Our consultant, Lisa Cross, is always available should anything out of the ordinary come up and continues to support us with regular visits to ensure our compliance processes remain fit for purpose."

Jonathan Homer

Partner, Homer & Co LLP
Harpenden, Hertfordshire

Stephen Sumner

"It is essential that compliance consultants understand our business. Since joining ATEB, over 20 years ago, their support has been brilliant. They understand our business and the regulations. The team is pro-active, professional and knowledgeable. The communication is clear, and their regular visits keep us informed and compliant. Paul Caine has an exceptional rapport with the staff and excellent technical knowledge.

I have great confidence in recommending ATEB to any firm requiring the support of a highly professional company. I rest assured that with their support, our company is compliant and that our knowledge and systems are continually being developed and improved."

Stephen Sumner

Director, Explore Wealth Management
Cramlington, Northumberland

Rebecca Williams

'We, at MAIA Asset Management have used ATEB Compliance services since we set our business up. They have been a great help in ensuring that we had all the necessary documentation and procedures in place, and that we were compliant with all of the FCA and COBS rules. They have been a great source of comfort, a point of contact for checking, and refreshingly have a how can we help you achieve this attitude rather than a business prevention approach.

Many thanks for all your hard work."

Rebecca Williams BSc Hons Chartered FCSI

Head of Research, MAIA Asset Management Ltd
Henley-In-Arden, West Midlands

John Lunn

“What stands ATEB out from the crowd is their genuine understanding of our business. They are business consultants, where 'compliance' flows as a natural consequence rather than as an end in itself”

John Lunn

Partner, Morton Fraser LLP Solicitors
Edinburgh, Scotland